Welcome to Kindergarten!

The beginning of our Kindergarten adventure together is right around the corner!

I wanted to give you information about our beginning of the year events, along with a little about me. I am also including the supply list in case you need it.

Back to School Night will be next Wednesday night, August 30th, 5:30-7:00. Please plan to attend this important evening. The information you receive will help our year run smoothly. This is a time for parents rather than children as there is a lot of information. You can even even make a night out of it- plan a date for an early dinner or a late dinner afterwards. 

Please bring in any supplies for classroom use that you have gathered. A shopping bag is useful.

I'm looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday night!

Kindergarten Practice Day will be Thursday, August 31st, from 9 am to 12 noon. This shortened day gives your child a great introduction to the Kindergarten classroom. They will meet new friends and start learning important routines.

Here is some information to help you prepare for this exciting day:

Please plan to park in front of the building by Louie’s Dollar Plus. Walk your child back to the playground and feel free to wait with them. We will show them where to line up and walk them into the building. To help your child have the best start to their day, please plan to say goodbye at our line up spot rather than coming inside with them. Coming inside with your child makes it so much more difficult for them to say goodbye.

This year, Mrs. Mackedon will be holding an informational session in the cafeteria at 9:00 am. If you are new to the school or just have questions, please plan to attend this short but very useful time.

Please have your child wear their uniform. Also, send in a yummy lunch and an easy to eat snack. The best way to manage the snack is to put it into the small pocket on the front of the backpack. This way they do not have to open their lunchbox to find the snack.

To help make our very first pick up time a better experience, please plan to use the pickup line. Do not park and get out of your car. Instead come down the West side of the school (enter from the Louie’s parking lot) and form a line that wraps around the North side of the playground. There are two gates on the North side where your children will exit. Please wait in line to pull up to the gate. A teacher will help your child get to and into your car and you will pull out. To make this even easier take a piece of regular paper and write your child’s first and last name in bold black marker. Then place it in your passenger window or on the right side of your windshield.

Thank you in advance for making this a great day!

About Me: My name is Mikayla Morrison. I am so excited to be getting to work with your child!

This will be my first year teaching.  I graduated from UNR with a degree in Elementary  Education. I also hold an Early Childhood Education endorsement.  I have student taught in a Kindergarten class in Reno and also subbed in various different K-5th classrooms, but this is my first year with my very own classroom and I can't wait to share it with your children!

 With my first year, the more support I can get, the better outcome we will all have for your children! So, I will be contacting you all about the abundant volunteer opportunities that will come up throughout the school year. 

Fun facts about me: I am a little obsessed with the color pink and owls (you can tell by my classroom decorations). I enjoy spending as much time as I can outside: nature walks, camping, lake activities, skiing (Tahoe is one of my favorite places!) My favorite sport to play is soccer and my favorite sport to watch is football (Go Packers!)

Supplies

This is a list of supplies for the Kindergarten students. If you are unable to obtain these supplies, please just let me know ahead of time. (mmorrison@oasisacademyfallon.us) This is not a problem!

Kindergarten Supply List:
2 dry erase markers (black only please- Expo if possible*)
4 glue sticks (Elmer's if possible*)
1 box of crayons (8, 16, or 24 count of Crayola brand)
1 package of pencils (plain yellow ones, please- Ticonderoga if possible*)
1 package of pencil top erasers or large pink erasers

1 pair of children's scissors
1 box of tissue 
 
1 pocket folder (with three holes- no metal prongs, the metal prongs will make it unsuitable for our needs)
Reusable water bottle with your child's name clearly marked in permanent marker (these will be sent home on Thursdays for cleaning) 
Backpack (this needs to be large enough to hold a two inch binder)

* I only mention these brands because we really do get better use out of them, however it isn't a huge deal.

Optional Items (not required, but definitely appreciated):
Markers
Cleaning wipes
Ziploc bags (sandwich and/or gallon size)
(1) 4 pack of bathroom tissue
1 roll of paper towels

Plastic page protectors (preferably the heavier weight ones): We use these a ton, if you want to make my teacher heart happy, this is the classroom supply right here. 

We will be sharing all items (except the folder, backpack, and water bottle) so there is no need to put your child's name on them. I know that it is fun to buy some special items when school shopping. If this is the case, one way to use a special item may be to set up a "homework office" to use these items at home. 

Thank you so much for your support!

A Million Words or Less

Hello, Families!
 I am thrilled to have your child in my class this year! I am very excited to get started. I would love to have an open line of communication between home and school. After all, we now have something very special in common- your child! You are your child's first teacher and you know them better than anyone else. I would love to start the year out with a glimpse of who your child really is. What makes them so amazing? What do they struggle with? What are their hobbies or special interests?

 I am asking you to write or email me about your child in a million words or less. If we were able to sit down over coffee and chat about your child, what do you want me to know? This letter is for me only. It can help give me a deeper understanding of your child. I will learn a lot about your child as we spend time together, but why wait?

 Please know that I will not be judging your writing. I don't care about your spelling and grammar. I care about what you have to say. 

 If you would like a bit more structure here are some example things you could tell me about:

• What are your child's strengths/weaknesses?
• Does your child have any fears or health problems?
• Has your child had any events or life experiences that make their life unique?
• How does your child show frustration or anger?
• What expectations do you have for your child this year?
• What does your child enjoy doing outside of school?
• Tell me about some of your child's favorites-such as foods, color, animals.

These are just some ideas. You are not limited to them nor do you have to answer all of them. Remember it can be as long or as short as you want. Share with me whatever you would like to share. 

 Thank you so much for sharing your child with me and for taking the time to tell me about your child!

                            

                  Sincerely,

                           Miss Morrison

                           mmorrison@oasisacademyfallon.us